National Dems expand US House battlefield, targeting Knott in NC-13

National Democrats say they’re expanding their attack map, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee adding North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District to its “Districts in Play” program on Friday. 

In NC-13, Democrat Paul Barringer is challenging freshman U.S. Rep. Brad Knott, who defeated Democrat Frank Pierce by 17 points in 2024. Incumbent Democrat Wiley Nickel chose not to seek reelection after state Republicans redrew the district to heavily favor the GOP. 

Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican.”

According to the DCCC, the “Districts in Play” program focuses on competitive seats held by vulnerable Republicans across the country as Democrats seek to regain a majority in the House. 

National Democrats are concentrating on rising costs under GOP leadership. They’re highlighting Knott’s voting record, including his support for President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, last year’s tax cuts and spending cuts package.

“Knott’s disastrous record, highlighted by his votes to kick thousands of North Carolinians off their health insurance, give tax breaks to billionaires, and support Trump’s cost-hiking agenda, has made life unaffordable for working families,” DCCC chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement. “The voters in his district know he’s been a failure and are ready to send him packing in November.”

“We are obviously happy and excited to have been added to the list,” Barringer campaign manager CJ Robinson told NC Newsline. “It shows what we’ve known for a while – that there is real movement in this district, and that there is a real possibility of flipping the seat.”

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The DCCC added seven other districts to the program on Friday, each of which the Cook Political Report has rated as “likely” or “solid” Republican. That means the DCCC currently considers 66 House districts “in play,” double the number to receive the designation in 2024. 

Earlier targets announced this election cycle include U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy in NC-03 and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson in NC-09. 

Unlike the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program, “Districts in Play” doesn’t provide financial support for candidates, but Barrington will receive a designated page on the DCCC website linking to a donation site. 

Democrat Jamie Ager is in the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program. He’s facing GOP state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom in NC-11, which Cook Political Report rates as “toss up.”

At the moment, Republicans hold a 218-212 majority in the House, with four vacancies. One independent, U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, caucuses with the GOP. 

Republicans say they’re not worried about the 13th. Trump won the district by double digits in the past two presidential elections. 

“Democrats are once again foolishly wasting time and money trying to compete in solidly Republican districts where they have zero chance of winning,” NRCC spokesperson Reilly Richardson told NC Newsline. “While DC Democrats chase butterflies and rainbows in fantasyland, Republicans are focused on winning the fight on the ground and over the airwaves in the real battleground districts nationwide.”

But Knott could be hurt by the tough political climate for Republicans. Trump’s approval rating in the Tar Heel State has hovered around the mid-thirties, and GOP candidate Michael Whatley continues to trail Democrat Roy Cooper by a substantial margin in recent polls for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. 

The Knott campaign did not respond to requests for comment.